WHY THE FUCK DID THEY PLAY “AMERICAN WOMAN” WHEN THE AUSTRALIAN WALKED OUT?

Mary, Mother of Pearl, just look at that set. Your average Rolling Stones stadium concert has less expensive sets than that. And the fucker was HUGE. You could have landed an airplane on that runway if it weren’t for all the explosions and dry ice obscuring the pilot’s vision.

It really was the oddest experience watching this thing. Any fashion reality TV competition is going to get compared to Project Runway, just like any singing competition is going to get compared to American Idol. But this was like watching Project Runway while having a seizure. Fireworks, smoke, REALLY LOUD music, rapid cuts and shrieking crowds. It was about as far away from the fashion world as one could possibly get while still being a fashion competition. It was hilarious, but we’re not sure yet whether that’s a good thing or not. Sure, we were entertained, but it’s kind of hard not to be entertained when there’s so much spectacle on display. We’re not sure we can put up with that kind of meth-induced insanity on a weekly basis, though.

The strangest thing about it was its stubborn refusal to explain what the hell was going on. Literally 3 minutes into the broadcast, we were watching pieces walk the runway, with no idea of who made them or what the goals were, let alone how the judging worked. AN HOUR into the broadcast and we were still struggling to figure it out (while simultaneously fielding a hundred tweets and messages asking us if we knew what the hell was going on – and some of them were from fashion insiders). Nine seasons into Project Runway, Heidi was still explaining the format of the show every episode. Would it have been so hard for Elle to introduce the concept to the audience? Or was there not enough time what with her lingerie line advertisement opening the show?

Which brings us to our next complaint: this was too commercial. And by that we mean, this show IS a commercial. For Macy’s, Saks, and H&M, but also apparently for Nicole and Jessica, since they both appeared in sponsor commercials during the break. There’s a part of us that really likes the idea of taking fashion competitions away from runway shows and putting the focus on the more commercial aspects of the industry, but this was gross.

And what the hell are the mentors there for, anyway? Apparently, it’s the buyers who make all the decisions. The mentors’ only role is to offer hilariously useless critiques and save one person from elimination each week. You needed THREE people for that role? And why do we see so little of the actual mentoring in the workroom? Why do we see so little of the workroom, period? Is there a challenge each week or are the designers just on their own? And what’s the point in a designer showing their wares to a buyer when that same buyer turned them down the previous episode? What’s the likelihood that they’re going to change their minds?

Obnoxious Aussie misogynist went home, and that’s to be expected when you’re a struggling fashion designer who thinks he can condescend to women in one of the few industries where they reign supreme. We actually liked his jackets, but that was so frigging stupid he deserved to be sent packing.

As for the rest of the designers, they’re a total blur. We remember not one name, nor can we really remember who made what. In fact, we really can’t remember the clothes at all because they go by so quickly and get lost in all the flash, but in case you’re interested, these are the ones that were bought and which are now on sale at their respective retailers.

You’re nuts if you think we’re critiquing all these bland department store clothes. They’re all mostly fine, but it’s a pretty safe bet you’re never really going to see anything interesting walk that runway.

And that zipper skirt was stupid.

We’ll continue watching, but we make no guarantees about weekly blogging. We’re not sure our hearts can take it. It took us hours to fall asleep last night after watching this. If they manage to tweak the format and let us get to know the designers and watch them work (instead of giving us glossy, packaged, 3-minute flashbacks) this might be bloggable, but as it is, it’s such a mess that we’re not sure what we’d have to say about it week after week.

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RedRaven617

You said it best.

Spicytomato1

Yes. The whole thing sounds horrific and hilarious. Why do network people assume everyone wants all these crazy bells, whistles and production values? Do they not trust that the concept alone will be entertaining?

JosephLamour

You don’t need to watch it. All you need to know is there were women in bras and underwear wearing masquerade masks, MOTORCYCLES on the runway, and welder-type explosions. Cause nothing says fashion like a Guns and Roses video.

Because what I really want to see is another American Idol, with TWO panels of people, the Paula Panel “Oh you’re doing great I love your sense of humor and style” and the Simon Panel “No one will buy it. I won’t buy it…pfft!”

I told my wife the same thing…I still hear the Solid Gold theme song now. NBC screwed up a decent concept with over the top production value. It was a Frankenstein set for sure. Maybe they will add some props from Gilligan’s Island next week (if it hasn’t be axed by then). LOVE the G-Force (Gatchman) icon!

Agreed on all points. The weirdest (and that’s saying something) component of the show was when they apparently shoved four designers into some kind of a montage, with the woman who designs good knits for larger-figured people winning a buy from SFA. And I think there were competing bids. It looked like that was the most compelling competition of the night, and they crammed it into a mini-segment. And the Tilda wannabe probably should have been the one to go. Yikes, yikes.

Whever

Oh, good, that wasn’t actually her. I didn’t watch the show, and as I was scrolling through the recap, I was like: SWINTON! No wait, SWINTON wouldn’t be part of something this crass.

TheOriginalLulu

Agreed on Poor Man’s Tilda. You get like 30 seconds to show what you can do and you just put TIES on somebody else’s garments? And then say, that’s just the beginning of what I can do? She should have been kicked off just for being such a moron.

annieanne

She was competing for the auf with the uber-moron who’d just told two female fashion buyers that women don’t know how to judge real fashion. She should thank her lucky stars he was around to save her.

TheOriginalLulu

Oh yeah, that’s right! Jeeze, what was wrong with that guy?
I was only half-paying attention to this show.

Ramona Boersma

He basically thought Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie were know-nothing, low class bimbos, which is certainly true on some level… and yet he voluntarily was on this reality show! Contradiction!

formerlyAnon

And then compounded his idiocy by saying essentially the same thing, though apparently trying to do so more politely, to the female Macy’s buyer. I think at one point he dissed the judgement of the male Saks buyer as well, but that might have been later, in a comment about the outcome. I think.

QJ321

Yes, that mini-segment was so weird. I thought, is time running out and they need to rush – but no, there was plenty of time left. Decoy Tilda should have gone home too. Those half assed ties wouldn’t sell anywhere but Claire’s. On the clearance shelf.

CozyCat

I missed the first 10 minutes and that that segment must be a recap of what I missed. The worst thing is that asymmetric tunic looked like one of if not the most interesting designs of the night.

MissAnnieRN

yeah, what the hell was that? It was sort of like the part during the Oscar’s where they show all of the winner who won awards at the other, lesser AA show. I thought it was suspicious that they put the plus-sized designer into that group. I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on there.

pixieface

Oh, thank god! I seriously spent ten minutes last night wondering if I’d had a stroke or something and just… lost a good chunk of time, somehow. Since that segment was the only one that was so short. Suddenly there were designers I didn’t recognise getting bids on clothes I couldn’t remember seeing. Good to hear I wasn’t the only one weirded out by that.

I gave up on it shortly after the zipper skirt, which was one of the first things on the runway. It felt to much like Home Shopping Network on crack. “Look at the clothes. Watch the buyers bid on the clothes. Now you can buy the clothes!”

2ndhandchic

I think I made it to that point too. I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t take it anymore.

Hmm, but do we know how many of those were actually available to begin with? Or is all this fast selling out part of a push to cause a buzz around the show.

JosephLamour

I’m not sure… fashionable people… are buying the clothes… exactly. Although, that jacket at H&M I like… cause I bought one just like it 3 years ago. So how much of that guy’s designing fits so much as his design already fit in their wheelhouse?

aznemesis

“Fashionable people” (or those who think they are “fashionable people”) are usually assholes anyway, so who cares?

Did they only give them 15 minutes to make the clothes? Because that’s about all the time it would take to make some of those. I didn’t watch, because it seemed like a train wreck, and from the looks of it, that may have been a good decision.

Wow. I’m so glad I missed it. I had a feeling … Thanks for taking the bullet for us.

VicksieDo

I thought it was too loud, flaunting the buckets of cash they can spend on a show, and the clothes by definition had to be rather boring. But I had fun watching it, and already like some of the designers and HATE Oscar the Dwarf, so I’ll give it a few more weeks…

VicksieDo

Oh, and I LOVE that it’s about SELLING clothes to buyers. After all, that’s how the real world works!

MilaXX

I’d rather watch Joe Zee do that. At least when he does I understand what’s happening.

Browsery

Joe Zee often seems to set phony deadlines and to make designers explores styles with which they clearly are uncomfortable.

MilaXX

I see the logic in what Joe Zee does with his deadlines. He wants to see the work the designers are going to present to the buyers BEFORE the actual buyers meetings, he also wants to make sure these designers know how to meet deadline. I’m not sure I agree with him making designers explore styles they are uncomfortable with, rather I see him attempting to help define their styles in order to actually be profitable. Since this show has yet to tell us their parameters I’ll take Joe Zee.

Browsery

I’ve only watched halfway through and the clothes are not interesting, but I like the real world aspect. It’s interesting to see if I can predict what the buyers will purchase.

formerlyAnon

Yes, my favorite part was trying to figure out which store might buy which garments.

But they didn’t explain what that dollar figure represents, e.g. how many units does that get them at wholesale. When H&M sells that backless sheath for $19.99, that’s a lot more pieces for their $50,000 than a dress for $110 at Macys. And who manufactures the garment? So many questions, so much time wasted on smoke, lights and noise.

VicksieDo

So many questions…we’ll have to tune in to hear some answers 😉

Browsery

If they told us, we’d be able to figure out the markup. HORRORS!

That’s a good question for an investigative fashion beat reporter.

Browsery

Don’t you hate yourself for hating a dwarf with a heartrending story? I do. Witness PRS — Project Runway Syndrome. Everyone must have a sad sack story. When you hear too many, it cheapens people.

Don’t you think they cast Oscar in part because of his short stature? After watching so many seasons of fashion reality shows you just know there is some creepy casting demon who sees Oscar and thinks, he’s a dwarf who has an accent, a backstory and he wears funny hats-ratings gold…or so they hope….I think I now need a shower and a stiff drink…

aznemesis

Agreed. Not a Tim Gunn fan at all, so I’m glad they left that shit out.

What’s really strange is that the buyers were criticizing him about understanding due dates, keeping on a schedule? How does the runway show given them any sense of that? Or was it just the silly hat that made them think he was unserious?

Such a confusing show…

VicksieDo

Haha, no I don’t hate myself. Having a personality, and having a GOOD personality are two different things. The entitled attitude of oh-woe-is-me is something I’m soooo over! You’re right that we’ve become jaded about these things…

hac51

This show was just…WEIRD. Having said that, the ‘buyer’ side of the fashion business is interesting and I’d like to see a show about that…just not this one.

Thanks so much for watching an blogging and saving me from wishing I had stayed up to watch….

Colleen Robinson

I like the idea of them competing to get buyers and showing more of the business side of things, but they can get rid of the “mentors” and even Elle for that matter (do we really need to hire someone to stand onstage and announce the designer’s names?). This feels too much like American Idol (and I’m not a fan of that show). And as stated, I just don’t care about any of these people.

MilaXX

especially when the mentors input consist of “use the blue fabric”. Why would none of the mentors have told Not!Tilda that she needed to actually design garments, nit just add bows to a bunch of premade clothes?

Rand Ortega

It’s a Project Runway/Shark Tank mash up. I’m intrigued by a few of the designers (especially the Calvin/Merlin clone) & I like the buyers, but I don’t see this lasting past season 1. The clothes are beyond dreadful.
Makes me miss “All On The Line” even more.

Girl_With_a_Pearl

This show made me miss Project Runway when it was on Bravo. You’re absolutely right about the clothes being dreadful and the show not lasting long. It was like watching one very long commercial for Macy’s, et. al. I’ll just enjoy TLo’s comments without watching this mess for however long it lasts.

KLeigh

That stupid zipper skirt was priced at $350 by Saks and is sold out.

guestela

WHAT?!? I thought it was so ridiculous — and yes, stupid.

KLeigh

I thought it was a cute idea, but there’s no way in hell that I would pay anywhere near $350 for it – hell, I wouldn’t even pay $35 for it. Especially ironic b/c the designer said she made a lot of her clothes versatile because she couldn’t afford to buy a lot of clothes, so what she did buy had to have more than one use.

stardust462

I really thought H&M was going to buy it because it looked like something they would have in their stores. Plus it would have been way cheaper there. I liked it, except for the exposed zipper down the back. Can that trend die already?

bitchybitchybitchy

I was really surprised that the Saks buyer bid on these, as they seemed much more H&M style. $350 for a convertible skirt is way out of my price line, for sure.

CarolinLA

When SAKS bid for that skirt, I thought I had been brainwashed by the lights and music. Who in the fuck would pay $350 for that skirt???

guestela

Exactly!

formerlyAnon

YES! I wondered if each buyer is required to spend a certain amount of money per episode – because I hadn’t pegged that skirt as Saks – I’d have thought it would be H&M. Of course, there wasn’t a lot on display that screamed Saks to me. I honestly thought the ’70s stuff that Macy’s bought might have gone to Saks, just because it’s currently trendy and [in my opinion] the Saks shopper can afford throwaway vacation/poolside wear.

OddJob. I recently embarked a pop culture challenge to watch all the James Bond movies in order. Have the two Daniel Craig movies left (and I’ve already seen Casino Royale once).

Anyway, I said yesterday I wanted to punch Oscar in the face just by his picture. My instincts were dead on.

MilaXX

Thank you! All I could think of was Tatoo from fantasy Island. I agree, I hated Oscar on site and his behavior last night just confirmed that instinct.

bitchybitchybitchy

I’m now picturing OddJob and MiniOddJob(aka Oscar) doing a dance number to “The Two of Us”, ala Austin Powers

CarolinLA

Another gay leprechaun – spare me.

Frank_821

Igot tired of him real fast. just a camera whore. He was a total Project Runway cliche

Sweetbetty

Camera whore is right. He apologized to the woman designer who was standing next to him for taking up her time by going on and on with his histrionics, but he continued to go on and on, taking up even more time.

SewingSiren

Of the ones that got purchased I thought the tunic was the most interesting. But the Aussie swimsuit gal, who did the kaftans seemed to be the only one with a clue.
My favorite design of the night was the long narrow red and black dresses with the bubble pocket.
I also do not understand what they are competing for. But I expect Howie Mandel to pop up at any moment and offer them money to go home.

Rand Ortega

$6M in purchase orders for collections in the three stores (H&M, Macy’s & SFA).

I work at a big old family owned business in SF, and we sell textiles. When I saw that white dress with black trim come bouncing out onto the runway, I barked with laughter. We sell that fabric. (snort) And frankly, I didn’t see much of anything on the runway that was really worth all the cannon shots, over-loud music and idiotic hype. Oscar is already giving me the ITCH.

I like how the two halter dresses that were clearly sold as bubble dresses now aren’t. I actually liked the zipper skirt – but I didn’t get how it solved the problem of walking past a wind tunnel and flashing a bunch of cabbies. I think that’s solved by wearing underwear…

During the show I thought there were granny panties under the zip off skirt, but I guess the underskirt is so stiff and fitted it won’t move. It looks like a crotchless girdle.

MilaXX

I don’t even remember seeing those dresses last night. I must have blinked.

stardust462

It looked like the underskirt hugged closer to the body and was out of a material that wouldn’t move as much in the wind as the more flowy top skirt. So the wind would blow up the top skirt, while the underskirt stayed in place.

guestela

OK, I really did *not* get that show. I agree with you guys that I constantly wanted to know what the hell was going on. I had so many questions. What did the buyers’ dollar amounts indicate? Did the stores actually pay the designers that amount of money for these items?

And what was with the countdown to the runway? The show wasn’t live, so what was that about?

I really wanted to know what the designers actually did, how much time and money they spent, what sorts of help they got, etc. And how the buyers decide what to purchase. But instead I got two seconds of jiggling models on flashy sets with loud music and explosions, followed by umpteen million ads, followed by useless commentary by the “mentors.” And then inexplicable purchasing decisions with very little explanation. (WHOWHOWHO would buy that zipper skirt?!?)

I will not be tuning in again.

Sara__B

The zipper skirt, at $350, is sold out.

guestela

I know! Makes no sense to me.

lessax3

Well, if they paid for $50,000 worth of units and the designer sold them to them at $100 a piece that is only 500 pieces, 1000 if they were sold at $50 a unit. Not surprised they are sold out if those figures are anywhere near accurate.

Plenty of people will buy anything as long as they can say its designer or it was on TV.

formerlyAnon

Or they saw it looking awesome on a model on t.v. – that introduces an element of fantasy that seeing it on oneself in a dressing room does not.

DaveinAlamitosBeach

See, it was all so poorly explained that I would never have gotten any of this. I assumed that the stores were buying the design, kind of like a copyright of the design, and they could make as many of them as they wanted and change it as much as they wanted. I didnt’ realize that the designer would be producing the garments. Sheesh, and I watched the whole thing. This really was a hot mess. And there really weren’t enough cute guys. 😉

lessax3

Who knows. Maybe they did buy the design, but I recall Elle briefly commenting to someone who got an offer that the buyers bought $$$ of their clothes. I took that to mean they bought a certain number of units, like maybe the buyers have a cost per item breakdown so they can order a certain quantity. They could be buying the design, who really knows anything that is going on with this show? I don’t think the producers have decided what they are doing with the show yet. 😀

VicksieDo

I loved that skirt…lol

guestela

OK, never mind me, then!

IMNAngryLiberal

You know, I enjoyed the show–I won’t say I knew what was going on all of the time, but I wasn’t bored. It isn’t Project Runway, but arguably Project Runway isn’t Project Runway anymore either. Elle McPherson was pretty bad, but I remember Heidi from the first season and she was pretty bad herself that first year. I thought the comments from the mentors were easily more natural and helpful than anything Michael or Nina have said in the past couple of years….how can you not love someone who says “It looks like someone is grabbing her vagina” instead of “cameltoe”. Hopefully the show will settle down a little next week when they go to their 60 minute format and we get to see a little more of the design process, but I don’t really want to know more about the designers. I like hearing designers talk about what they do, but I don’t give a rip about whether their mothers have died or their parents are divorced.

bitchybitchybitchy

I am so with you about not caring one rat’s behind about sadsack backstories. That was one of the things that really turned me off about last season of PR.

DinaSews

I’m sick of caftans and am pretty sure they were never a ‘thing’ except on reality sewing television.

SewingSiren

At least the designer is marketing them as swim cover-up/ lounge wear.

CarolinLA

Right – as opposed to high fashion like Michael Costello does (although I’m still a fan).

KLeigh

I love maxis and caftans (wearing one now), but those are way too fug for even the $89 price point.

Sweetbetty

Wait. What? The caftans were priced at $89 while the teeny, tiny zip-off mini-skirt was priced at $350? How is that justified?

KLeigh

Macy’s v. Saks. The market is completely different.

aznemesis

Because some people are stupid enough to spend $350 on a fucking skirt, and some people aren’t. I don’t care what the skirt looked like, anyone willing to pay $350 for it (or any other piece of clothing) is a fucking idiot. But Saks has a market, so there are obviously lots of idiots to go around.

I watched the show and it’s 90 minutes of my life I will never get back. It made my eyeballs pulse and the garments sent out were incredibly mediocre. The one woman that sent down collars with ties on them….and those only…really? I’d like to apply to be on that show and send out a jean pocket taped to a model’s ass. It’s an accessory, right?

MissAnnieRN

OMG – that was PRICELESS. Loved NR’s bitchy aside during that. “Just to be clear, those AREN’T HER CLOTHES. THOSE ARE SOMEONE ELSE’S CLOTHES.”

Seriously – you’re on national TV in front 3 of the biggest dept. stores in the world. And you’re going to choose a fucking tie on a collar stand (you could tell she thought she was being so educational describing to all of us plebes what a “stand” was.).

That was just nuts. I knew so little about what was going on or who these people were that I didn’t care who went home or what won what. It was just bizarre. I’d rather watch PR at its worst than this.

I think you should blog this like you blogged American Horror Story:
“STEAM JETS!”
“CAMEL TOE!”
“HIDDY!”

jjfg

That show was a mess. Too noisy, too busy, to – whatever. As soon as I started gauging the approximate time between runway segments, I started tuning away during the filler material, because even these “background” segments were incomprehensible. I couldn’t figure out the parameters of the challenge (it seemed to be, show something you’ve already made – why?), if there was a budget, if they had professional help putting together the clothes, how the contestants were chosen, why I should care…

I was relieved to see that others had the same WTF? reaction to this that I did. I wouldn’t blame you guys one bit for not blogging it, because I’m not thinking I can even watch it again. Maybe if the show took a Xanax first…

I haven’t watched yet (Is it available online?) but these pictures and your description make it sound like Dancing with the Stars/American Idol, sort of. Give me Tim Gunn and PR over this, I think.

mullivan

You can watch it on Hulu, and that seems to solve some of the problems people are writing about, because it’s only an hour without the commercials and the commercial breaks are shorter. But it is still ridiculous. I started watching it this morning and I thought I missed like the first half hour somehow because the show is like: “Welcome to the Fashion- OMG RUNWAY TIME LIGHTS MUSIC”

Theresa Carey

Thanks, TLo. I appreciate you saving me an hour of TV watching time this week. 🙂

QJ321

I’ll likely watch it a couple of more times to see where it goes. A show about the business side of fashion could be interesting. But you are absolutely right that it didn’t make sense, and the glitz and flash seemed to be done to HIDE the boring clothes. I couldn’t figure out what the designer “won” when getting a bid. Sure they have their clothes sold at that chain, but how many items do they need to produce? Does the bid cover the cost of manufacturing? Or does the show cover that? It seems there’d be potential for someone to end up losing money by winning.

MilaXX

I don’t think I’ve ever had to take a Dramamine after watching a tv show before but this show literally had my eyeballs twitching. I was so confused at first I even checked the program guide to see if I had gotten the time wrong and missed the start of the show. Then they changed up in the middle bit and instead of a runway they just gave a summary of 4 designers and told us who won. I’m not sure this show is worth time shifting/DVR’ing Justified and Southland for. It was like sensory overload. Imagine if Project Runway/Sharktank/Dragon’s Den/Rock the Runway/Sabado Gigante all had an orgy and this was the bastard child it produced. I’ll give it another chance, but I’m not sure I can handle this show on a regular basis.

formerlyAnon

Sabado Gigante! YES!

There was an element of gleeful abandonment to the ridiculous that the other comparisons didn’t quite capture.

kattyatlaw

Based on how far along Jessica seems to be in her pregnancy (plus the general length of time from buying to appearing in stores as mass production garments), the entire season must have already been taped. That gives me almost no hope for them fixing the problems– hard to see the problems when you get no feedback outside of your own room.

Kudos to you for sticking with the full 90 minutes. The barrage of stobes and images, Weakest Link sound effects, lame-o pop soundtrack, and screaming studio audience left me exhausted, like I’d been forced to watch some brainwashing film. It was like a televised live-action sequence from the Hellscape panel of Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Fashion Caligula.

I hope as a final act they force the top two designers to fight to the death in those American Gladiator giant hamster balls. Dear lord, my ticker can’t take it. Were there department store clothes at the end?

CarolinLA

The “department store clothes” were what walked the runway. Nothing interesting or innovative.

Logo Girl

Oh, Elves…. *shakes head*.

TheOriginalLulu

I was LOLing the entire time. When I wasn’t reading the news online, that is.

Anyway, I guess it’s a good way to hook up aspiring designers with dept. store buyers, but as far as entertainment goes, it’s not exactly blowing my hair back. All the smoke and mirrors aren’t doing a good job of hiding the fact that this show is weak in content. I know it usually takes a little time for hosts/judging panel members to find their groove on a new show, but they better hurry up because they may not have much time.

Maine1ac

You have to give the top hat-wearing, three border crossing designer some kind of prize for starting to cry before he was even three sentances into his life story. Also, do they have people sewing their garments for them? I only watched the first few pairs, but it seemed like one of them was hassling a sewer. And then one of the buyers actually complimented the construction?! So far it’s more humorous than interesting. In a one-time kind of way.

There was a statement by Elle, that all the designers had cutters, sewers, accessories, hair and make up people. Clearly, what they had to do was come up with the designs, and then oversee production. Of course we have no idea how long this is permitted to take, where the textiles and notions come from, or even if they have cost constraints to work within. Mystery fashion.

formerlyAnon

I thought there was a hint, somewhere, that there is a week for each assignment – this week’s being to do a ‘signature’ group of looks. But I could easily have been confused by the hideously shrill theme song and the week reference was to the show’s weekly airing, not their preparation time.

Mystery fashion is kind. Sausage-making fashion, maybe?

CarolinLA

I don’t know how epileptics watch this show. They can’t show this show at 10pm – it’s too much. I’ll have to record it and watch it in the daytime with decaf.

MinnieO

HAUTE MESS..and not even in an entertaining way. This is coming out of the DVR line-up ASAP. I may check in on Saks occasionally to see if any decent items show up for sale (no expectations there)…but no way am I watching this crap-fest again.

emily mcginnis

for all the craziness, this show was rather boring. i don’t care if anyone buys the designers’ work. i don’t know who the designers are and thus, i don’t give a crap if they succeed or not. i can’t really root for anyone.

You forgot to mention the solid gold Dancers in the background! I kept thinking why are are there dancers?

lessax3

I thought that last night, Project Runway, (or more like 24 hr Catwalk when I think about it) plus American Idol with a tribute to Solid Gold thrown in.

michelle shields

Oh please continue to blog about this show. I need a good laugh every week. And what the hell was that thing on Nic’s head? I did think it was funny when Jessica said she wanted to hit that guy. I might have to continue watching just to see how much more stupid this show can be.

Stubenville

This was one of the biggest train wrecks I’ve seen on TV. Halfway through this show I wandered into the kitchen and cleaned my oven. I wandered out once or twice to look at the TV, but I’m certain I didn’t miss much.

So what does the dollar amount represent; selling the design to H&M / Macys / Saks or an order for $$$ of those clothes at whatever the piece price is? Anybody know? Bueller?

I think they can improve this show by stuffing the losing designer and shooting him off the soundstage. An on-air killing is all that’s missing from this show.

Stubenville

*snort* stuffing the losing designer into a cannon…
I think we should shoot off the host and mentors to aim the cannon first. Or the twerp with the sherbert colored bowler. Or (d) all the above.

bitchybitchybitchy

I think that Nicole, Jessic and the two female buyers would have cheerfully stuffed the pompous Aussie into a cannon and shot him across the stage. Come to think of it, that would have added much more entertainment value to the show.

The show clearly needs more entertainment value. Next week they can add a live rock band, some Cirque du Soleil aerielists, a naked chick on horseback, and Fonzie jumping his motorcycle over 100 kegs of beer (brought to you by Heineken!).

Sara__B

I have tons of unanswered questions. Do you suppose next week they’ll explain the concept of the show better and what’s going on and if the designer pockets all the cash and Saks/Macy’s/H&M manufactures the design for them and how much time is passing and what’s going on? (I checked out the designs being sold online and most don’t even tell you what the fabric is made from. They sold out anyway.)

michelle shields

PS…Elle needs to stick to modelling, she can’t host worth a shit

CarolinLA

Who gets the money from the bids?

Tina Hurd Winston

I thought this was awful. I did not understand what was going on. How do you win, how do you lose, it looks like they have professional tailors or pattern makers, stylist , design mentors sooo what do they do, if this show is about commercial side of the business, are they going to explain why the bids can be from $50,000 to $120,000, so is fashion really sold like an auction to major stores? There are way to many questions just about the structure of the show. I like the little dress that H&M bought and I like the Barbabra Bates outfits (minus the big pockets) the line where nice and it looked sophisticated. I will watch a few more times maybe they will explain what they are doing. The short velvet hat dude was to much and the drama felt scripted

Frank_821

Well that aussie Nicholas answers 1 question. What do you get when you mix Gretchen’s lack of self-awareness with Kenley’s stubbornness into a conceited former model……good luck any buyers wanting to waste time with you

stardust462

I couldn’t figure out why I had trouble falling asleep last night until I read this article. I shouldn’t have watched this show late and finished at 1am. Ugh.

But overall, I did enjoy it. I thought the montage of several contestants who didn’t get offers along side the woman with the asymmetrical dress was really weird. I thought I had missed something. They couldn’t have made room for them to fit?

I wish the price points of the three buyers weren’t so great. I’ll probably only be able to buy something if H&M buys it, maybe Macy’s. $350 for that zipper skirt is insane, although I feel like I’m one of the few who actually liked it (minus the exposed zipper down the back). I really thought H&M would buy it, it seems like something their stores would have.

I’m interested to see how this show goes. I’m going to keep tuning in.

brookeinmn

Totally agree about the montage. I was like, oh…I guess their stuff really sucked.

cheesebomb

“I…I…um…wait, what?” for the entirety of the show and the recap. I’m still confused.

Those asymmetrical tops remind me of the Radenroro design Joe Zee slammed in that episode of All On The Line, and let me tell you, I still agree with Joe Zee. Hiddy.

bluefish

LOL on your comments. That was truly bad-acid trip bad. It’s got a weird “Rock Star INXS” vibe to it except that show was fun and featured some talent. The blatant commercial aspect is just soooo over the top and offensive. As Snoopy used to say — “Bleeecchh.”

I snorted vodka and Rose’s up my nose when Varvatos said the twee guy from Austin’s palazzos gave the girls a “wedge-ina.”

annieanne

My eyelids twitched everytime Elle said “it’s time to face the buyers”. They’re trying to make that a thing, like “one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out”.
I like the idea of having buyers being the judges. I like the idea of a jazzier runway show than the bargain basement version on PR. I don’t like a runway show that completely obscures the clothings. I don’t like ‘mentors’ that have no discernable purpose. And I really hate that we’re not given a chance to see the designers in action.
This could’ve been a really good show in concept. Too bad they turned it into one loooooong commercial in really bad taste.

SingingSkies

Completely agree!

Wendy Wetzel

Too many gyno dresses, and nuthin we haven’t seen before. Oscar is the drama queen (they will keep him for a while), but the Aussie had to go…. you don’t argue with the judges and hang around very long…… overall, I think I’ll take it off my TIVO …. not worth wasting time on….

Peeve

Well, that explains something. I missed the first 20 minutes of the show, and figured I’d missed all of the explanation as to what was going on. Apparently, I didn’t miss anything. Boy, is this a game show. PR is a game show, but this is a GAME SHOW! Bells, whistles and unexplained contestants included. I hope they do some ‘splainin’, cause this thing is damn confusing. Especially the bidding. I couldn’t figure out if the amounts bid went for the number of pieces made in a run, or if the designer got part of the bid, or arrrghhhh. The only thing I liked was that the Aussie asshole went home. He kept digging himself a bigger hole the more his lips moved.

MissMariRose

This caftan trend is bullshit.

There’s no way I’m walking out of the house looking like Mrs. Roper.

bitchybitchybitchy

And Varvatos actually said that he liked the headwraps… What did they slip in his drink?

ccm800

I’m relieved. I thought “maybe it’s me” – WTF is the bidding all about? Are they actually paying for 80K of said item or what? At least explain WTH is going on. Based on buyers I suppose Macy’s sells everything Saks is old and creepy and H&M is Banana Rep jr?

Carleenml

I love what you said about it being a commercial. I was setting the dvr for it, told my husband “I can’t sit through all this and all the commercials…” and he said (seeing one nanosecond of the beginning -) “it IS a commercial.” I think I’ll pass!

kaycem

i’ll admit (albeit abashedly) that i’m into the caftans, but only b/c i’ve been in a be-fabulous-at-home mood lately — like at the end of SATC2 when sjp is in that super long, semi-sheer dress? like that. so what i’m trying to say is that it could’ve been any caftans anywhere and i’d be interested. and it’s sad that the caftans are the most interesting bit, isn’t it? i didn’t, and won’t, be watching this show.

I liked that geo print caftan but probably wouldn’t be able to rock it being what my mom calls a ‘munchkin’ (5′ 3″ & 1/2)-I looked online for fun shortly after the show went off, it was only left available in XSmall. I’d have to see the fabric in person anyway, plus, I’m not sure I want to buy the clothes and support my ‘conspiracy theory’ of the show’s premise (posted elsewhere in this thread).

JMB_edits

How funny, I tuned in late and kept thinking, I have no idea what’s going on, sorry I missed the explanation — but I guess there wasn’t one!!!

I’m going to present my theory now, I may be way off. I don’t think any of those folks are actual designers-I think they are all actors/non designing folks who wanted 15 min of fame. Hear me out-I’ve never watched “American Idol” and those type shows, this reminded me too strongly of them. Thus (to me), it’s marketed to more of a ‘mass audience’ (being on NBC, I would say it kinda ‘dumbed down’ on the fashion/design aspect-if not ignoring it completely). Here’s my grand theory (as of now)-These stores have ALREADY bought the clothes from (wherever)-they want to sell more of them-hence the whole “It won a bid on the show, now you can buy it!!!” (exclamation points, stars, explosions, music, dancers, seizures, and more slight-of-hand). Maybe I’ll take this all back when we see some actual clothing design and construction, but at this point, I’ve seen nothing that goes against my theory. The point of the entire show (and all the $$ and diversions) is to create an artificial demand for this (mediocre) clothing.

Tina Hurd Winston

I know that Barbara Bates has been a designer in Chicago for a number years. She made a name for herself by designing for a lot Chicago celebrities like Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, etc. But that does not mean that the rest of your theory is incorrect. I does seem like a long infomercial or QVC segment on crack. Also I do not know about the other “designers”. I think I will Google all of them just to see what turns up

sarah jacobs

Like everyone else, I hated the the production values, the dancing girls the lights, the cheesy music, that was all bad.

I did love the input from the buyers. I liked that their real life understanding of what sells in fashion meant that the full of himself aussie was auffed and that it was clear that the buyers had no love for Oscar , The Central American Tammy Faye. Project Runway would have kept eacxh of them because they are cute on camera. having this real life check is a good thing.

I know that it’s by definition department store fashion and not Haute Couture…but on the other hand..this is the clothing of the 99%. That too is fashion.

dealing with actual parameters is a good thing. Project runway seems to promote the fantasy of unwearable clothing + high fashion.

I would love to see this show in a quieter format.

formerlyAnon

“Oscar , The Central American Tammy Faye”
LOVE. Though he’s going to have to start wearing lots more not-waterproof mascara/eyeliner to really own the title.

“Willard currently is the Vice President/Regional Planning Manager for Women’s Apparel for Macy’s Southwest Region …”

Nicole Christie, H&M
“A former graduate of Columbia University in New York City, Christie was
one of the first 50 employees hired to start the U.S. sales organization
for H&M. She began her 11-year career at the company as a manager
for the first U.S. store that opened on Fifth Avenue in 2000 …”

Please don’t blog this. I turned it off before it was over. I know my opinion has absolutely no meaning to the inner workings of TLo International, but maybe if enough people say it, I can be counted as one of many.

Some one got there before I did but it was The Voice mated with Deal or No Deal, and it was painful. I ended up watching the last half of Dance Moms instead. DANCE MOMS. Ugh I can’t believe I watched Dance Moms, lol. I do not want you guys to give me a reason to watch this with some interesting review a few weeks from now. It was offensive to my intelligence as a consumer and as a human with eyes and ears. Seriously, this is supposed to be a competition based on fashion designers? WTF?!?!

I felt like I was watching a cartoon in the early 80s that was written and produced just to sell toys. No story, bad animation, but lots of commercial breaks with the toys from the cartoon doing stuff they didn’t do once you took them out of the package.

I watched this and found it absurdly entertaining because it was just to silly. Also props to Jessica for telling the douche she wanted to slap him.

Annabelle Archer

I hesitate to speak up, I don’t want to get slammed, but I must disagree.

I appreciated the cut through the bullshit format. I liked that each designer had to pick one “type” of piece to show and I liked knowing we’ll get to see more of their own ideas each episode they stay in – in opposite of everyone design a specified challenge dress. One of the reasons I tired of PR was the too much manufactured drame not enough fashion formula. I don’t have to know your whole life story in order to enjoy your work.

I hate shows that constantly explain the format during the show and every single episode. Sit back, watch and you’ll soon figure it out. It’s not rocket science, it’s a game show. It’s a game show without scripted judging (unlike the now nearly horrible PR) and I love that what you like you can buy. I love to look at high fashion, but I’m never going to wear it – that’s not my current life.

Now, those commercials for the mentors products I could have done without, but that is a sad fact of TV today. Also I was annoyed at the obvious stereotypical character types. Plus, the Botox mask face of Elle was hard to look at. Either she was very uncomfortable up there or her face is so immobile that it can’t be changed. Regardless, she looked terrified the entire time.

Over all, I enjoyed this show way more than I anticipated. It is a fresh take on a tired format and it brings a little bit of pretty and snarky to the average life viewer. It wasn’t a fashion related show I’ve seen before and for that I am a happy viewer.

I didn’t hate this show. Yes, the set and the hoopla seemed way over the top to me, but I did like that the designers are dealing with buyers for major retailers. I didn’t expect to see anything majorly innovative walking on the runway, either. I liked the take on the little black dress, and can picture a couple of my nieces really rocking that number.

tired_mommy

Agree on all points! Don’t think they are going to find the next fashion “icon”, but I enjoy the buyer portion of the show a lot.

EEKstl

At 9:45 pm CDT last night I went “OH F–K! I forgot to DVR Fashion Star! TLo will most decidedly have something to say about it tomorrow!” And your abject confusion has only made me more intrigued. It sounds like a complete and utter hilarious train wreck. I can’t wait to watch a re-run and then turn it off in disgust.

Annabelle Archer

Yes. This.

formerlyAnon

Even money it wasn’t you, it was Disqus. It hiccups.

rainwood1

I wasn’t sure I waas going to watch this and then completely forgot about it anyway. Decision made! It sounds like a mess and if you can’t blog about it, T Lo, nobody can.

discordany

I have to disagree with you on the zipper skirt. I am a person who hasn’t worn shorts/cutoffs in years – it’s skirts and dresses all summer. So this seemed useful. Immediately, I was saying “Please, H&M, make an offer! You’re the only one who has a store in my country, let alone my city!”, and as soon as the show was over, I was on the Saks website to find out how much it would cost me (too much).

I honestly enjoyed the concept of the show – that the focus was on the clothing, rather than the design process. Don’t get me wrong – I love Project Runway. But we already have Project Runway, so it was nice to have something different. And the fact that each person gets to highly ONE design in multiple ways each week is interesting – I’m intrigued as to what the future designs will be.

Granted, I will agree that the mentors are stupid. And there was too much production value. And if Elle MacPherson has to advertise her lingerie each week, it’ll really irritating. And it should have been explained better. And, granted, we’re never going to see any truly innovative works, because this is meant to be commercial wear. And, and, and…. But in the end, I really enjoyed it anyway.

And damnit it, again, why the hell does that skirt have to sell for $350. I can’t afford that, people!

Edit: That was supposed to be a reply to someone elses comment earlier in the thread. Stupid Disqus!

jw_ny

I really hated this show. It was like watching QVC on an American Idol stage and light show. Hostess, buyers, mentors and contestants all hocking their wares.

Kwei-lin Lum

I didn’t mind the noise. I liked the input from the buyers, which was a large part of the show. Even input from the mentors, who said things, nicely, that I mostly agreed with. Especially to the designer with the very padded hip and stomach pockets that would make non-models look fat. So I found the show entertaining.

But the very watered down, ugly, department store versions of the kinda cute NBC show outfits are a travesty. If anyone thinks they are getting the show outfit when they buy from the stores, they are in for a rude awakening. The show is like false advertising for the clothes and appeals to dumb impulse buyers only. Who probably like the buying-inducing bouncy music.

I TIVO’d and then fast forwarded through most of this. It was horrific! Exactly what I was afraid of when I saw the previews. For one tiny second there it looked like they might show something of what went on in the workroom, and then, woosh, we were onto the next thing. I was dizzy.

I just could not turn it off (“but not in a good way”). That booming music and dancers WTF? What about the woman who made the (cool) tie and collar and sent other people’s clothes down the run way…and stayed?????? (because she looked cool…) or the woman who put ruffles on hips (in three dresses). I looked at the clothes on H&M and the Macy’s site this morning….thought they looked cheap

PS-the posts are showing up in different order (not just due to the ‘sort by oldest/newest first’ option) so I can’t reply directly to the other posts that said this. I was up til 3-freaking-am after this show. I blamed it on a leaky roof and the stress of that, but now I blame it on the show, after seeing others mention that they couldn’t sleep afterward. I hate this type show format (“Look, loud noises, no look here, dancers”, etc)
Edited to add- I did like the buyers, the women gave thoughtful critiques and the Saks man, I guess, is going to be the “Barney Bad-Butt’ judge/buyer. He was funny as well.

Rroxy

That was seizure-inducing! Re: Aussie misogynist **hole, I’ve SEEN that so-called motorcycle jacket before. Just about identical too. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I’m probably not going to last more than another show (just to check) either.This looks like a quiz show.

GorgeousThings

Man, I’m glad I missed it! I have enough things to raise my blood pressure. I think I’ll take a pass. Thanks for the warning!

I had the wrong bitches in the other Fashion Star post. I was sure it was going to be Oscar and Orly, but they turned out to be pretty nice so far. Oscar cried through the whole thing, and he’s like an adorable little munchkin or something 🙂

I ended up changing the channel about the time the chick sent the collars and ties(?) on someone else’s clothes down the runway. I hated the “America’s Got Talent” style of the show, and I was hoping for more of the workroom and less of the rock concert. Anyway, I probably won’t watch it again. It just wasn’t good enough to keep my interest.

Girl_With_a_Pearl

This show was the love child of Project Runway and The Home Shopping Network on sterhoids.

Sara__B

I think I’ve got it, thanks to everyone’s comments and confusion. Fashion Star is game show + infomercial/advertisement +
buying channel fashion sale presented with seizure-inducing American Idol
staging. It’s designed to create demand for department store fashion, and its confusing train wreck qualities are psychological
ploys to get us to tune in next week. Or not.

guest2visits

This isn’t really show I want to see either. I don’t mind Varvatos as a judge. Or the likes of Jessica or Nicole
giving their (script) opinions. If PR keeps their standard 3 judges; I think it would be an improvement to have an
extra bit of input from a buyer or someone else in the industry that isn’t beholden to the producers of the show.
Hopefully for outside perspective. He/she wouldn’t even have to be part of the vote.
For that matter; what would it hurt to choose a couple of ‘people off the street’? (different every week).
A shop keeper, a guy in the park with his kids, a barrista, a couple of shoppers in Macy’s,? Have them sit ring-side and
give off-the-cuff immediate responses to a runway show. Just a question or two. Nothing serious. I bet it would be entertaining.
90 seconds; then thankyou very much and goodbye! Now for the votes. I would just like to see some honest reactions
without a script or the judges dubious choices. It would certainly lighten the show. And think of the judges trying to relate
to the random commoner! That would surely be a hoot.
What impresses me most about PR is the ability of the designers to put something together from sketch to styling;
and with their own hands!! I hated that the challenges were designed to trip them up, instead of developing them into excellence.
Yet compare it to the mediocre Fashion Show designs; and they had plenty of time, cash, and a TEAM of people
to put it together for them. Not so impressive. I guess thats why they had to have such an over the top production.

joe_tey83

Stupid fashion shows like this explains why Project Runway continues to survive despite all their crap.

Watched it on demand. On long ass commercial. Like QVC on acid. Unless you report back to me that it gets much better I am not planning to watch it again.
“oh look at the quirky designer, oh look at the pretty clothes, now go buy the pretty clothes”
Um, no. TYVM

Stubenville

Like QVC on acid

*snort* +1

sockandaphone

i didnt watch the show but this recap was hilarious.

Judy_J

I watched this from start to finish, and never really figured out the concept. The set looked like it was stolen from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. I was disappointed in Ross Bennett. I thought he would bring better clothes to the runway, but his full-lenght coulottes were pedestrian at best. He’d better bring more than just his attitude to the game. Little Oscar was a bit much, and the Sak’s 5th Avenue guy was not amused. I enjoyed the TLo tweets very much. That added a lot to the show for me.

I was alone at home, but I’m not sure I’ve had such a LOUD, visceral (over)reaction to anything on TV that wasn’t a sporting event. As soon as I saw the word “Cullotte” (sp? who cares, THEY NEED TO DIE!), and the actual “Culottes” parading down the runway (all 3 pairs), I was going NOOO! Don’t bring them back! NO! Those have already been (semi) popular in my lifetime more than once-or at least I’ve seen them around. They are the biggest crime against fashion and women’s bodies that I can think of. I wouldn’t wear them if they were the only ‘pants’ available. :::shudder::: Want to make your lower body look like a triangle? Or in fact, your entire body? Wear THESE!
Edited for (mis)spelling

ShivaDiva

Awww, I was counting on you to give us the hilarious bottom line each week. Sounds hilarious, but nothing I would be caught dead sitting through. Yes, Virginia, there is still a massive difference between (even basic) cable and network TV!

formerlyAnon

Well, you set my mind at rest. I thought I wasn’t clear about what was going on because I missed the first half hour or 40 minutes. Also, that the sad dearth of workroom time was not because it was all in the first 20 minutes. Apparently, seeing what I missed wouldn’t have helped.

Condescending Aussie boy would have gone home no matter what he designed, he seemed blind to what he was doing to himself – first the mentors call him out for blatantly dismissing their judgement, and then he makes the EXACT SAME kind of comment to the buyers.

These big competition casts never gel in my mind till about the third episode. If that particularly jarring tune that repeated so often I assume it is the theme song allows me, I’ll hang in until then.

Sweetbetty

“Condescending Aussie boy would have gone home no matter what he
designed, he seemed blind to what he was doing to himself – first the
mentors call him out for blatantly dismissing their judgement, and then
he makes the EXACT SAME kind of comment to the buyers”

Which convinces me even more that this show is more highly scripted than PR has now become. In addition to the aforementioned theory that the “designers” are nothing but actors hired to be in this multi-episode commercial for the three stores involved selling clothes that have already been made, the fact that Aussie Boy would be so stupid as to make those statements twice tugs at the suspension of disbelief. It seems apparent that he was designated as the sacrificial lamb of the first episode and that the producers made sure he said or did something so unacceptable that no one would question his aufing.

Wow. Just wow. This one is a seizure turned fashiony game show. I’ll never EVER watch again, once I manage to get up and wipe the foam from my mouth that is.

formerlyAnon

Oh, and I haven’t seen all the comments yet so this may well have already been talked to death but:

I do not for ONE MINUTE believe that Nicole Richie uses Suave shampoo on her hair. Not unless she’s stoned out of her mind and somebody planted it in her shower. So those commercials are beyond irritating

Most of the winning outfits are already sold out online. Dear GOD people, stop buying the generic mall clothes just because they were on television! Why is anything here different from the usual fare at Macy’s and H&M? Thanks for the recap. I’m pretty sure I would have a seizure if I had to watch a full hour of this show.

You know what though? I loved the buyers. Gimlet eyed, poker faced – they’ve seen it all. The buyers rule the fashion world not designers. And why in god’s name did these idiot designers listen to every word of the “mentors” and yet they talk smack to the people WITH THE MONEY? Undeliverable.

butter nut

i have it on in the background right now & i’m totally annoyed with the format. it’s all flashy & noisy & it doesn’t make any sense. and to top it off, these clothes are ugly & i would never buy them.

with all the millions of dollars that were poured into this bullshit, they couldn’t spend any time, money or effort in finding at least 1 good designer?

i’m shutting it off for good.

Emmyllou

Thank you for saving me the pain & torture of watching. I toyed with the idea, but now: No. The prospect is just (dot, dot, dot) SCARY. Smooches!

MzzPants

Thank you, TLo, for validating my experience! I spent 90 minutes of my life being stunned and confused.

Srw27

I’m gonna ask the same question I ask every time I walk by Abercrombie & Fitch: WHY IS THE FREAKING MUSIC SO LOUD?!?!?!?!

bitchybitchybitchy

MY theory is that the store hopes that your brain will be so frazzled by the volume of the music that you will forget that if you buy from Abercrombie that you’re overpaying for overpriced sweatshop produced clothes…just a thought

Srw27

Aha! You might be on to something!

rowsella

Well, I thought it was to repel shoppers.

rjd_cc

If it’s a hit, I weep for the future of network television – This was nothing but 90 minutes of QVC and HSN – Nothing, and I mean nothing, in this show bore any resemblance to the spirit of fashion other than marketing – It was a prime-time infomercial for all involved – You two are way better than getting sucked into blogging this nonsense – Walk away, fast, with your dignity and credibility in tact.

marywv

Is anyone else NOT surprised Saks barely made any buys? Are they going to hang this POS schlock next to the McQueens or the Herrera? Frankly, I’m disgusted they’re even involved. I could see Nordstrom’s perhaps as far as designer department stores go, but not Saks. But then again I’m flabbergasted Neimans tarnished themselves with PR All Stars.

bitchybitchybitchy

We have yet to see just how much floorspace Neiman’s gives to the winner of PR AllStars. They may have committed to a certain number of pieces so that if they don’t like the winner they won’t be stuck with too great a loss.

Browsery

I dunno, I’m not confused, although I’m only halfway through. The designers are working with sample makers (that was mentioned) and the competition today was to show three variations of one signature look.

The only thing I don’t understand is how the buyers know how much to bid if they haven’t seen all the looks. (Or maybe they have a bid ceiling for every round.) I was wondering why the buyer from Saks would have questions about Mr. Texas Bright Hat’s ability to deliver on orders. His dresses were awful, by the way.

The clothes aren’t interesting, but at least some are wearable. If I were a designer, I think it would be better to get some sales from a show like this and get my name out there, instead of what Project Runway offers.

We agree on the zipper skirt.

It was funny how all the buyers had to pose in that segment. One of the women buyers looked a little silly. Everyone is selling.

We recorded it and then waited for the TLo Report. You threw yourselves on the grenade. We thank you!

Call me Bee

Holy cow! The lights! The music! The exposions, motocycles and scantilly clad dancers. This is a fashion show??!? From what I could gather–these were supposed to be the designers’ signature pieces–hence no workroom footage, I think. Will we see more in the next few weeks? I hope so.
Elle was wonderfully vapid, the buyers were expectedly poker-faced and the “mentors” were a stitch. I was surprized how much I liked NR and JS (even though I said I would turn it off if one of them said “I’d totally wear that!” and JS said it in the first 7 minutes!) It was entertaining but certainly not fashion. The clothes themselves were pedestrian–nothing that you can’t already find in any department store. And Oh my Lord that little Oscar person is so annyoing!
I’ll give it one more chance. If it doesn’t improve, I’m outta here….

I watched part of it and bailed when some incredibly obnoxious little man in a Willie Wonka hat was defending the utterly ordinary stuff he sent out. The attitude to talent ratio was wrong for me. Don’t think I’ll be tuning in.

Cathleen Francis

At least this is a change, albeit way over the top! I’m so tired of Project Runway and mad that they knew who they were going to pick as the winner throughout the whole season. Maybe it will kick Heidi into gear and they will at least dust the runway set and get off the personal story melodrama kick. Also, I just want to see beautiful, innovative design. I don’t want to see them get 15 minutes to dive into a dumpster and create red carpet looks. At the very least, let this scare the PR producers into some changes.

Wow, it sure was kind of entertaining. Would have loooved to see Aussie boy diggin himself deeper and deeper. I was laughing so hard, he literally made his statement worse by second. Hilarious.

Someone here has made a statement about Tilda Swanton at the Oscar`s like “She looks if she can kill you with her brain” (hope I`m remembering it right). The fake Tilda just looks like she could make you fall asleep.

I thing the worst thing in this circus was Oscar. Man, he gets on my nerves.

aristida_girl

Hear, Hear on all fronts guys, I am with you that this was totally over the top and crazy, but I have to say that I want that zipper skirt and some fab zip-ons, there is nothing worse than trying to hold your skirt down in a whirlwind (or stiff breeze), and I like the idea of a simple skirt with add-ins, it seems like fun

Sweetbetty

That skirt might be a better value if you *could* buy separate zip-ons to go with the base skirt. I still wouldn’t buy it but it would be a more versatile addition to a wardrobe that way.

Wow, Macy’s really dumbed down that little black halter dress, didn’t they? It was kinda cute, if not exactly edgy, before. Now it’s just flat out ugly. And I heard a lot of this stuff sold out. Geez Louise.

My imagination or was Bowtie Guy Ross sweating profusely at every turn? That image would certainly inspire me to buy his clothes. I wondered if little Oscar would still be there if the mentors hadn’t saved him, and will his hard luck story strike at the mentors’ soft spots and continue to keep him in it? He said he went without food for several days? How did he get to this country?

I didn’t think it was that bad. I think we’ll get a chance to get to know the designers and watch them work more in future episodes. Sure, they have more than one mentor where PR only has one, but I don’t have a problem with that. I also don’t have a problem with the mentors having their final opinion of each designer’s pieces showcased on the stage even though they aren’t the final judges as to who goes home. They did, after all, work with each designer and advise them, so hearing how they feel about whether their advice was followed or not and how the final products came out is perfectly appropriate. I actually like the whispered banter a lot (the camel-toe comments, the fact that WannabeTilda’s models were in someone else’s designs).

I love that real buyers are the actual judges and that the designers whose clothes are chosen by them can be purchased right away. How many times did we bemoan that we couldn’t buy any of the PR clothes – especially Mondo’s? Well now we can – what’s wrong with that?

Why is anyone surprised that most of the designers went with something relatively “safe” for their first impressions to the buyers? That doesn’t mean that we won’t see some awesome pieces come down the runway throughout the course of the series. At least we aren’t being subjected to craptastic not-really-clothing made from potato sacks, dollar store doo-dads or food.

Evelina Chang

I completely agree!

ErinnF

It’s on my DVR, but I will admit I was waiting for this recap before deciding whether to watch it. Um, I think I’m just gonna hit the “Delete” button on it now. It sounds a little manic and exhausting — maybe to make up for the yawn-inducing clothes. I have socks that are more interesting.

EverybodysStarling

OMG, now I know! This reminds me of the scene on “Fear and loathing in LasVegas” where Johnny Depp is having a bad drug trip in Circus Circus.

It was a ginormous mess with terrible so-called fashion, but it was worth watching just for the T Lo recap!!! I love you guys.

BrightsideSusan

I agree it was loud,distracting and confusing. I like the buyers part, I picked up that the designers came with a line and that they were assigned pattern makers and sewers to help them. I also know it was taped last summer, so that is how they could have the winning clothes in the stores. The mentoring must have been really hit or miss or the strange collar thing wouldn’t have happened.

Pennymac

I tried, I really did. But watching this was just too exhausting. I deal with mania all day and certianly don’t need it for entertainment. Bless you, TLo, for taking this bullet for your PUFs. I so appreciate your recaps, but really, there’s no reason for ya’ll to take this one for the team. It’s outright horrible. I’ll not watch this mess again.

adnama79

I gave up after the first (Hulu) commercial break.

What is the relationship between the money the stores offer and… anything? The designers aren’t getting $60k, surely?

I would have bought the zipper skirt in my 20s – but I wouldn’t have been able to buy it at Sak’s.

citylove520

This show was the hottest mess ever. I will watch any show about fashion design, even if it’s a little rough around the edges–but this show was like watching Project Runway, All on the Line, and American Idol all while tripping on acid. That montage where they squished those four designers into a two minute block was just bizarre. I’m still confused by what I saw.

lualshannon

This tasteless show was simply a torture to watch; couldn’t handle it more than 10 minutes.

did anyone understand how the bids worked? “$80,000!!!!” what does that even mean? obviously the designers don’t get that or they’d probably be more excited. it can’t be actual money at all can it? did macy’s just spend like $250,000 on bland department store clothes? is that normal? to me it seemed like they might as well have been bidding anything. “i’ll bid 7 balls of dryer lint!!! i’ll top you with 8 duck billed platypi!!!” this show left me confused and slightly troubled. also my eyes hurt a little.

if you decide you like it i will try it one more time. otoh, if i feel any better this week [unlikely but maybe] i will probably just go back to RPDR–what brought me to this site in the first place. that & thombeau, his website, which seems to be sadly gone & done & which was way way better than every silly piece of pompous circumstancii wailing around on this program put together.

BuffaloBarbara

Goodness, I forgot to watch. Looks like I missed… absolutely nothing. Except more caftan pushing. Please, New York, please PLEASE stop trying to make fetch happen.

Evelina Chang

I seem to be alone in my opinion, but I actually liked this show. True, the show’s set design was horribly flashy and confusing, and I don’t understand why they had to have multiple dancers on the stage, but – I liked that they catered (or pandered) to the public, and actually demonstrated some consideration towards those who are not built like a fashion model. (I also liked the zippered mini skirt – I thought it was a pretty good idea)

That segment with 4 designers packed into one was confusing – I at first thought that it was a pre-commercial preview.

We watched this AFTER we read your marvelous re-cap. We might continue with it since it’s just SO REALLY FUNNY!
And WOW did they ever spend a ton on it!
It’s funny that it makes Project Runway and 24 Hour Catwalk look “serious”.

Mace_Ease

Does anyone know if I can find any of these clothes at Macy’s? I do so enjoy shopping at Macy’s.

Very funny coverage and so spot on. Why the fuck is everyone a fashion expert? Why?

SVLynn

It reminded me of some weird futuristic infomercial, being that the show itself is a commercial, and then the commercial breaks have the stars of the show. But it’s also totally outdated and like a bad game show at the same time, so two, two bad concepts in one! Love the comments about the Solid Gold dancers, god is that a blast from childhood and so true. Bizarre, and I kept thinking for that big a prize, these were the best designers they could find? Old Runway losers, Jillian, Uli, etc would have blown most of them away.

Truly_Outrageous

I knew this show would be flawed. But by the looks of things, the show looks really flawed. I know its a little unfair for me to say these things since I only watched the last 15 or so minutes of the show (it was on repeat on the E! channel). But honestly, that short time was all I needed to decide whether it was worth a watch. Within the first couple of minutes I already didnt like what I was seeing. It felt like an American Idol version of a fashion competition. Its a bit too much for me. Like they were trying too hard to look cool or something. And the part where that girl talked about going online to see the backroom drama annoyed me. And to make things worse, most of clothes were not that exciting (especially most of the winning entries this week).

Penny Less

So damn funny (and true!):
But this was like watching Project Runway while having a seizure. I finally got around to watching the first episode and I was similarly baffled. It actually makes Project Runway’s warts less noticeable.

Taylor Sterling52082393

I watched it with my mom. It gave us a headache. I think project runway has pretty cheesy clothes and nobody really makes it afterwards, but it’s a lot more intimate. You get to know the designers, like when Mondo came out and said he had HIV. You learn about the designers on a personal level, but with this I’ll be surprised if we figure out the name of the winning designer when he wins. I can’t remember any of these people. The show was like project runway on crack. Hated this and never watching again.

PHOENIX_001

ARE YOU SERIOUS?….KARA THE WINNER? DAY-LIGHT ROBBERY!! THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD BUY FROM HER COLLECTION!! RIDICULOUS…EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT ZIMMIE MAKES CLOTHES THAT NORMAL PEOPLE I KNOW WILL WEAR!!!….JUST CRAZY!!